(A/N: There is hidden symbolism in the story... wonder if it's been noticed...)
23. Web-Cam chat
It was confirmed that the death had been a combination of the three things that had been mentioned the night before- and of course, Alex's involvement meant that everything was kept pretty simple. And speaking of his involvement, Alex had to talk to certain people later.
Using his Nintendo (which Andrew had stolen and Alex had found and taken back), he listened to Nessa and Lissy's conversation- they had gone over to Luke's house first to drop Carson and Luke off. Austin, Vivie, and Angela had taken the other car- Vivie had been eager to get home, and Alex didn't blame her. But the house was still intact after the conversation, and Alex assumed that Lissy had decided to keep her promise and try to stop blaming Nessa.
Now, Alex and Alex Meyer were back at Vivie's house, and since the other Alex was with Vivie, Alex knocked on the master bedroom door, looking for Nessa but getting Austin instead. He decided that it didn't matter and that he could carry a conversation with this man.
"Good morning… where's Nessa?"
"She's with Crisee again- I'm pretty sure that she's just putting her to bed. She'll be out soon."
"Oh, thanks."
"No problem. You know, Alex, I admire you for… well, playing the hero when you were reluctant to and you had absolutely no obligation. Nessa told me a little about you- enough for me to see how difficult it must have been for you to help my daughter by defying my son. I know many of my children have been criminals, and so I've adopted the ones that aren't on the dark side… I understand that you live with your housekeeper…?"
"Yeah, she went to visit someone in New York. I was going to go there too…"
"And then you ended up in the loony bin instead, didn't you? I'm sorry that they manipulated you like that, even if I had no part in it. Nessa really did try her best to stop it, you know… I hope that you won't be forced to do something like this again, even if I am grateful that you saved the world."
"Yeah, you're the only one."
"Well… is that why you need Nessa?"
"Yeah, I'm going to talk with the MI6 about doing whatever they want to with me. I'm sure that she can get us connected." He lowered his voice. "I kind of like spying. I'm not willing to give it up entirely, but I'll consider it as a part-time job as agreed on by me and the correct conditions. Compromise is the way to go."
Austin chuckled. "Alright. I'm… I've always felt guilty that the source of trouble has been because of my mistake. If I'd never done that, Angelina, Cerina, Nikkie, and so many others would have never died- at least, not through my son. But there's nothing that I can do about it now. I just hope that you will forgive me…"
"It's not your fault. 'Like father like son' is a saying that shouldn't exist." That reminded Alex of how his father had been a spy- but Alex didn't really want to be like him. It was not safe to just assume things. "You are so different from your son- I can tell. Don't blame yourself."
Alex wasn't sure where the words came from, but he felt like he had to say it. He could tell that Austin felt terrible. In a way, the self-blame was rational- not that Alex was ever stuck doing that. He didn't mind shoving blame onto other people. But maybe he needed to understand things from a different point of view. Maybe he had to be careful about how angry he got at the people who had authority over him. Maybe he needed to deal with the cards that life had dealt him and compromise.
"Well, uh… thanks, Alex." He laughed quietly. "I'll see you soon. You might want to catch Nessa now."
"What about me?" Nessa asked, appearing suddenly behind Alex. She was one of the few people that could do that unnoticed. Oh well- he wasn't Superman, no matter what everyone else thought.
"I need to get in contact with Alan Blunt."
"I thought as much… will a web cam work?"
"That would be perfect. Where can I set up?"
"Just use my laptop- I already set it up for you. Crisee's not going to eavesdrop or anything, so you should be fine."
"Thanks," Alex called over his shoulder as he walked into the bedroom. Crisee's gray eyes blinked once at him sleepily, then slid shut. She had started this mess too, hadn't she? At least she was young- and it wasn't exactly her fault anyway. Alex decided to quit being philosophical and sent a nudge using MSN, then started a video chat. Blunt answered pretty quickly. Behind him, Alex saw the familiar building and felt a wave of homesickness for the first time. It was odd since he had changed homes so many times, but right now, he really wanted to go home.
"I'm eighteen now, Alan. You have no right to interfere in my personal life." Alex decided to call him by first name because he could- and he wanted to show what had changed. He would have to wing this- he hadn't thought ahead. But he had no choice- when did he have one?
"What can I say? Duty calls, and we need your help."
"You don't give me the freedom to decide! You could have told me about the mission, and I could have prepared better, but no, you caught me on the spot. I told you that I wanted to just go to school and live a normal life, but you don't see me as an equal. You just see me as someone that you can use and order around."
"Most school boys want to be spies. You're a spy that wants to be a schoolboy."
"No, I just want some control over my life. I'm willing to go on missions- but not every one that you happen to throw at me. It's that or nothing. It's time for you to choose."
"It's not fair to Rider to use him indifferently." Alex Meyer and Vivie had entered. "He's great at what he does, but like he said, he's an adult now."
"I didn't like having those things pressed onto me either," Vivie quietly added. "Once it was over, I felt so free. I went to save the world of my own accord this time- and at first, Alex hated it, he absolutely hated it. But then he saw that if you had told him beforehand, he would have had a better attitude about it, and maybe he would have come, maybe he wouldn't. But he would have had a choice. If you don't allow that, you're going to slowly kill him, Mr. Blunt. Your indifference about Alex doesn't help- and you use him for yourself. It's time to let go."
"Friends of yours, Alex?"
"I'm Vivie- you know, the one that Alex was supposed to help."
"I'm Alex Meyer- Vivie's boyfriend. I probably haven't been mentioned, but he's been staying with me and a few other guys."
"Last night, when I ran after Lissy, it was because I cared about Carson. I want to do things because I care about people, not because you or some MI6 guy told me to. That's all I have to say about that."
"Well… I'll talk to you when you get back. Are you still going to New York?"
"I'm thinking about it," Alex admitted. "Why?"
"I'll pay for your ticket."
"Good, because I'm broke."
"Farrior could always lend you money," Alex Meyer pointed out.
"Yeah, but how would I pay him back? I'm planning on settling down for a while- and if something of interest comes along, I just might consider it."
"Can you leave tomorrow, Alex?"
"Tomorrow?"
"Do you have anymore business in Texas?"
"No, not really. Where's my luggage?"
"It has been sent ahead of you to where Miss Starbright is staying."
"Okay, then I'll see you when I get back."
"Yes, I will. Goodbye, Alex."
And then he was gone, like nothing more than a faded memory that flooded Alex with exhilaration that he hadn't felt in four years.
